4/5
In Exile.
"Creativity is activism", the British, German born, Hans Zimmer rivalling classic, cinematic composer Max Richter told The Guardian newspaper last week. And over this last year in a world stricken with COVID-19, isolation and a quarantined loneliness just yearning to reach out and touch someone, or anything, he has been so active in his creation. Actively helping us. Creating new ways for us to make it through. Delving deep into our minds and swimming in the influence of his introspection he brings out of us in inspiration. The instrumental icon giving us all 'Voices' without even saying a word (he doesn't need to). His sequel 'Voices 2' came in April and now in August he gives a voice to even more lost. All until they are finally free. Soaring like the spirits of his sound. Showing that even when the news turns off and the headlines read something else, Richter is honouring their memory in his scales on yet another album that is not about sales, but the hope that prevails through all the hurt.
Libya, 2015. A ship containing 800 refugees sank off the coast. Losing families. Mothers. Fathers. Brothers. Sisters. Grandparents. Babies. All as we watch a small segment on our television from the comfort of our couch. There's not much we can do, of course. No finger is being pointed here to the remote generation. These refugees looking for freedom and finding fear just deserved more. Like all those do crossing seas and risking lives all for a better one...for their family. In this 'Exile' and the truly haunting artwork that also strikes a chord, Max gives his all to their rememberance. Producing and performing orchestral versions of his early work alongside the Sol León & Paul Lightfoot’s ballet Singulière Odyssée. This album was made in 2019, but finally after all the 'Voices' and social isolation sees the light of day now. Recorded in Tallinn, Estonia with Kristjan Järvi and the Baltic Sea Philharmonic this album arrangement will make you shed a tear, but never lose a thought for each and every one of those refugees lost to the sea. This social project also brings together young, impressionable players from both former Western and East European countries. All nations from around the Baltic Sea. Coming together on what Max coins as a "peace-making project" that looks to change hearts with courage and give these young men and women that same opportunity. Creativity. Activism.
Blooming beautifully through all this brutality, 'Flowers Of Herself' opens like pure petals and lays some down for every victim. A new sombre tone is reached from the soil of some of Richter's best work. Originally wrote for the Virginia Woolf inspired ballet 'Woolf Works' this truly works as something else here in 'Exiles'. Like all of his updated works do here. Not throw away and cobbled together to fit a new release schedule (besides the title track tribute is over a half hour long), but reworked, reimagined and just like outstanding, original tracks of their own. Like 'On The Nature Of Daylight'. Made famous by being mixed together with 'This Bitter Earth' of soul legend Dinah Washington and punctuating the pain of the harrowing haunted Leonardo DiCaprio character in Martin Scorsese's 'Shutter Island'. Arguably this De Niro and Marty like perfect actor/director partnerships most classic collaboration and the leading man of Hollywood's leading men ('Once Upon A Time'...and still) most compelling of his conflicted man performances. Underscored undeniably by Richter's scores to the soundtrack. Not to mention the factor of Max's official video for 'Daylight' featuring a top of her game Elisabeth Moss walking around the cold streets of Canada, between filming 'The Handmaid's Tale' in Toronto. The 'Exiles Version' of 'The Haunted Ocean' is what will really break your bow however. It was already hallowed and harrowing, off the soundtrack to the 'Waltz With Bashir' movie about the 1982 Lebanon War, but it truly translates to paying tribute to those taken with this tragedy. The 'Infared5' introspection recorded in reaction to the 2005 terrorist bombs of London also has been added in adaptation. Just like the hope of David Bowie's 'Sunlight' from the artist humanitarian who could lock himself away in his studio and make music for himself, but is always using his composure and conduction to reach out to others. When we get down to the final 33 minute 'Exile', we don't want the comfort of this composition to leave us, just like Max won't the memory of all those that are gone and their families. There is little escape from the cruel, unflinching realities of this world at times, but Richter gives everything he can to give us a release in orchestral solidarity. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Playlist Picks: 'Exiles', 'Flowers Of Herself'', 'On The Nature Of Daylight'.
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